Tool.



0. WE-STROM.

TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1909.

Patented Feb. 15,1910.

CARL WESTROM, OF MADDOCK, NORTH DAKOTA.

TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 15, 1909.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910. Serial No. 496,176.

\ device of this kind which can be used either as an adjustable wrench or a pair of nippers.

Another object is to provide a device that is easily adjusted and the movable jaw locked in position when adjusted without the use of the threaded shank and traveling nut so common in the usual style of combination wrenches.

Another object is to provide a device of this character wherein the grip of the operators hand on the handle suflices to lock the parts in position, whereby the tool is ready for use immediately on being placed into operative position.

With these and other objects in view, which will be described in the following specification, my invention embraces the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a side elevation of the wrench. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing parts in longitudinal section.

In a more detailed description of my invention, in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the views shown,

(1) is a fixedjaw of the wrench, having a sleeve (2) terminating in the handle (3), integrally formed therewith. This jaw is of double form, that is it has two working faces (4:) and (5), the working face (4) eing transversely grooved and terminating in the sharp edge (6), to adapt the same for cutting wire or other small rounded bodies. The face (5) is fiat and is adapted for use in tightening nuts or other bodies having square surfaces. The sleeve (2) has formed therein a cavity (7 in axial alinement with the sleeve, extendin downward from the working face (5). ne side of the sleeve is beveled, as shown at (8), and in this beveled portion is formed a rectangular opening, communicating with the cavity (7). In the sides of the sleeve are also formed longitudinally arranged slots (9), communicating with the cavity (7). These slots are widened on one side adjacent to their lower ends to form sight holes (10). The sliding jaw (11) has the working faces (12) and (13) arranged correspondingly, and adapted to work in conjunction with the working faces of the fixed "jaw (1) and sleeve (2). Formed integrally with the sliding aw, and projecting downward therefrom is the shank (14), adapted to slidingly fit the cavity (7), and of such length as to enable the jaws to meet when the lower end of the shank rests on the bottom of the cavity formed in the sleeve This shank has a longitudinal cavity 15 formed therein adapted to com municate with the slots One side of the cavity (15) is provided with a series of ratchet teeth, (16), the purpose of which will hereinafter be explained. A lug (17) is formed on the rear side of the sleeve (2) and pivoted therein at (18) is the lever or handle (19) which is also provided with a lug (20), disposed adjacent the pivoted end of said handle. Pivotally secured at (21) in said lug 20 is a locking frame, consisting of two side bars (22), and the locking rib (23) which engages the ratchet teeth (16) in the cavity (15) when the jaws are locked to fit a certain sized nut or piece of wire. This locking rib is essentially triangular in contour, preferably formed integrally with the side bars (22) and of a length sufficient to allow said side bars to slidingly fit the sleeve (2) in order that when the handles are spread apart the side bars (22) will slide easily upward over the sides of the sleeve, whereby the locking rib (23) is raised and disconnected from the ratchet teeth. The handles (3) and (19) are bent outward, the opposed faces forming the sides of an acute angle, wherein may be seated the ends of the spring (24:), the purpose of which is to keep the handles separated when in normal position so that the locking rib (23) will not engage the teeth.

The operation of the wrench is as follows :lVhen it is desired to adjust the wrench to any sized nut, the sliding jaw is pulled out so that the working faces engage the sides of the nut when by simply tightening the grip on the handles, the handle or lever (19) is moved inward. This motion lowers the pivoted locking frame and causes the locking rib to engage the ratchet teeth (16). In this condition the wrench is firmly fixed at its proper adjustment and cannot, be changed until the handles are spread apart.

The handles when in normal position'are kept spread apart by the spring (24) thereby causing the locking rib to disengage from the ratchet teeth whenever the grip is loosened. In this way the wrench will alternately grip and release the nut as the grip is tightened or relaxed so that as soon as a new grip is desired on the nut the operator has only to relax his grip and the locking rib is released when the jaws can be slid back over the nut until the handle and lever are again compressed when the jaws grip the nut again. Thus the wrench need not be entirely disengaged from the nut at each new grip as in the usual form of wrenches.

hen it is desired to use the device as a pair of nippers it is only necessary to adjust the cutting jaws to the surface to be cut and tighten the grip on the handles when the cutting faces will be drawn to gether. i

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more ext-ended explanation, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of the construction may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A device of the kind described, comprising a fixed aw, terminating in a handle, said jaw having a longitudinal cavity, and lateral slots communicating with said cavity, a sliding jaw adapted to work in con- 949,oso

junction with said fixed jaw, and having an apertured shank provided with a longitudinal series of teeth on one side of the aperture in the shank, a handle pivoted on said fixed jaw, and a locking member pivotally secured to said handle, said locking member having spaced bearing portions terminating in a tooth engaging rib, whereby to lock the parts in position.

2. A device of the kind described, com prising a fixed jaw, having a sharp and a flat working face, said fixed jaw having a cavity opening downward from the working faces and lateral slots communicating with said cavity, a sliding jaw having a sharp and fiat working face adapted to work in conjunction with thecorresponding working faces of said fixed jaw, said sliding jaw having a shank adapted to slidingly fit said fixed jaw, and having a series of ratchet teeth formed in said shank, a handle pivoted to said fixed jaw, a locking frame pivotally secured to said handle, said locking frame having bearing portions, adapted to slidingly fit the fixed jaw, and terminating in a transversely disposed locking rib adapted to engage the teeth on the shank of the sliding aw whereby to lock the parts inposition, and a spring seated between the handles of said fixed and sliding aws.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CARL WESTROM.

Vitnesses PAUL CLIFTON, THORWALD- OLSEN. 

